Lucifer Son of the Morning: A Novel

By Anthony Dean Jr. and Bonita Green

Our manuscript, Lucifer Son of the Morning, is what we feel to be a reasonable interpretation into the path of one of the most talked-about characters throughout the history of man. Through no small effort on our behalf and with great attention to that, which is written concerning him in scripture as well as being careful to scour through the countless mythologies surrounding our books protagonist, it was our goal to take the reader into the story with a tale from behind the gates and to paint a picture of the rebellious archangel, both before and after the profound catharsis that spawned he who is readily felt by many faiths to be the embodiment of evil.

Our book begins in heaven with Lucifer leading a worship session, adorned in gold and silkhe is flawless to look upon, loving in nature, and still very much in good standings with his father, the almighty king, Jehovah God. At the onset of the book, Lucifer is a humble and revered prince, who takes exceeding pleasure in writing beautiful hymns and raising beautiful praises to his father.

Though Lucifer is tasked with much in the kingdom, he embraces it all with good cheerpraising Jehovah through verse is sustenance for him. Although Lucifers prominence is illustrated through displays of reverence by the heavenly hosts, his prestige as an archangel is not too great that the angels feel separated from him by class. No, it is balanced completely by his humility and earnestness.

Jehovah publicly exalts Lucifer before the entire angelic body. Throughout time, the transition begins to awaken Lucifer in profound ways. A byproduct of Lucifers ever-escalating wisdom is a knowledge of the thoughts of his contemporaries. The quiet subjugation from those near him comes with a twist. Suddenly, there are internal questions that begin to surface, questions about his pedigree.

God announces man and calls Adam his greatest creation, and behind this decree, the angels are told to bow. Lucifer is incensed. He refuses and blatantly disobeys Jehovah. Soon, there are conspirators and clandestine meetings in secret corners of heaven. There, with the assistance and abetting of many, Lucifer, once the humble steward and servant of his father, the king, calculates and devises a web of subterfuge in heaven and brings his own war to the gates of paradise. It sure is a lot of fun getting him there!

Thanks,
Anthony and Bonita

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 20, 2018
• ISBN: 9781984525178

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

It was second heaven and third dawn, with magnificent light. It was both brilliant in contrast and sensational in nature, illuminating the sky. The light was so profound and bright that it would be astonishing to the eyes of man, quite possibly unbearable— blinding or inconceivable in essence. Inconceivable is a fitting word to describe the lack of acceptability that such light would find upon the visual receptors of a human being.

Indeed, inconceivable described the elaborate illumination of the dawn sky in heaven; and yes, in heaven, dawn still means morning. A bell resonated loudly, its powerful and tense vibration reverberating throughout the immaculate kingdom. The purpose of this bell was to call to worship service those spiritual creatures known as angels. The angels responded to this call. They responded in an orderly and deliberate fashion—yet in droves and urgently at the same time. In calculated flashes, they made haste that was more orderly than the marching German soldiers under Hitler, but that had not yet happened. Some walked and some flew, none without gusto and all in jubilee. The heavenly hosts that moved with such a purpose headed into a single grand structure. The ten-story temple of praise was solid gold from top to bottom, with pointed golden cylinders at the four corners. The first children of God made their way inside, and then two angels at the lowest level of this three-level structure closed the doors. The angels who had made haste to this impeccably designed structure in such a fashion were delighted because of the one they were there to see, hear, and experience the one they were there to behold.

There was once again the ringing of the bell to indicate the arrival of the third and final dawn of the morning as well as the beginning of the praise session. Inside, this temple was adorned with fine tapestries. Gold fixings fastened pews to posts and stage to floor. Beautiful banners hung over bannisters, and there was startling peace as the heavenly hosts moved and merged effortlessly among each other to the final destinations they would occupy. One angel glided on beautiful multicolor wings down to the podium at the ground level of the temple. The entity was extravagantly gorgeous. To look upon him was a delight. He was so appealing to behold that it was almost blasphemy unto the eyes not to do so. His countenance was flawless in every way. His appearance was that of sovereignty. His skin was the color of porcelain, and his jet-black hair fell in luxurious locks to the middle of his perfectly postured back. Furthermore, he was adorned in gold. His skin was so radiant that to say it glowed would not do it justice, and his curly goatee was wrapped perfectly around a mouth that was painstakingly carved out by God himself. He was tall, gallant, and steadfast. His shoes were made of pure, shiny gold and fastened with rubies. His hands were void of jewelry. Majestic even in the presence of angels was the magnificent creation. This creation had a name: Lucifer.

CHAPTER 2

Lucifer stood at the podium on the high stage upon which his sandals took refuge, regarding his family humbly, for truly they were his family, each and every one of them. They were all shaped and fashioned in love by the hand of God. They were perfect and innocent truth.

Lucifer’s smile was radiant and captivating. It was engulfing, rich, innocent, inviting, warm, and accepting. It was also knowing, friendly, and beckoning. He was a truly unique sight to look upon—a different sort of beautiful. His beauty, however, was not as that of a gorgeous person, for the beauty Lucifer had was more than enchanting; it was compelling. The great archangel’s hands were placed upon his waist, and then he opened his mouth. Out of it came a pleasing harmony that was in perfect sync with itself and set loose the Holy Spirit upon his utterance. A choir followed his lead. The heavenly hosts bathed in the melodic phrases. They basked in the intimate and detailed depiction of the Father’s love through verse and with the stylings of the great master harmonizer.

The angels swayed back and forth, stretched their hands, shuddered their wings, and tapped their feet while nodding their heads as they smiled and reveled at the crooning of Lucifer.

After several more selections and a sermon, a bell clanged. After Lucifer took the time to explain the music they had experienced, the session was over. Lucifer stood at the podium as the angels came one by one to embrace him and kiss his face. Wonderful, Lucifer, said one. Lovely, praised another. Beautiful, remarked a third. As always when he was met with such profound praise, he said, ’Tis all for the glory of the Father.

Two angels suspended in air together stayed at a distanced from him as the others departed. They were archangels like him, and they were his brothers. Their names were Michael and Gabriel. As the angels poured out of the temple, the three of them—Michael, Gabriel, and Lucifer—locked eyes one with another. Gabriel smiled at his brother Lucifer, while Michael’s countenance remained stoic and unreadable. The last angel to leave the fray was Azrael. She and Lucifer were especially close. She was a beauty to behold. Her skin was almost olive, and she had short hair that was as black as Lucifer’s. They embraced and shared a holy kiss. I love you, Lucifer, she said. Her voice was filled with humility.

He returned the sentiment as he cuffed her face in his hands. And I you.

Michael and Gabriel began an aerial descent upon him.

He released Azrael’s face. Her wings flitted, and she giggled a bit before flying away, but first she acknowledged Michael and Gabriel.

The three sons of God met in midair. Azrael is so lovely, said Gabriel.

Yes, she is, agreed Michael.

I do care for her, said Lucifer.

We know, said Michael and Gabriel in unison. The three laughed. Come, brothers, said Michael. Let us go from this place.

CHAPTER 3

The garden of reflection was a vast expanse in the farthest corner of second heaven. As lovely as it was long, it was sparsely populated by creatures man would call animals, though the speckles did not even up. The garden was also in close proximity to first heaven, where God the Father resided in solitude. However, it was not a forbidden place for these cherubs and seraphim who were in heaven. Otherwise, this place was exclusively for God, should he choose to come to second heaven, and the three who were taking a leisurely stroll through it now.

Gabriel and Lucifer walked side by side. Michael brought up the rear. Your praising the Father grows in excellence, brother, Michael said to Lucifer.

Like Lucifer, Michael was a remarkable sight to witness. His features were strong. His handsome face was that of a soldier. It was regal, whereas his brother’s features were ostentatious. Michael’s beauty was of a simpler nature.

Gabriel weighed in as he placed a hand on Lucifer’s shoulder. Azrael surely thinks so!

The three laughed, and Gabriel tousled Lucifer’s hair. No, brother. It never ceases to amaze me the words you find to uplift the Father’s name in your hymns. It is a more-than- remarkable thing.

Lucifer’s smile endured as he looked to the east. He is a more-than-remarkable Father.

Ah, indeed, said Michael, also looking eastward. More than remarkable.

Lucifer looked at Michael and said, You remind me of his decency, brother, and his wrath!

It was true. Though Michael was a pleasant and sweet soul, to anger him was to know vengeance.

As the three continued their walk, three mighty beasts approached. They reassembled panthers. The brothers, Lucifer in particular, enjoyed these creatures. They were pets of sorts. Lucifer bent before one of the creatures. It was lean and black. Ashon, he said. He patted the beast’s chest sternly and cupped its hand.

Gabriel and Michael kneeled to greet the two other beasts. The three brothers looked upon each other—Michael at Gabriel, and Gabriel at Lucifer. The three of them knew what was about to transpire.

Slowly Lucifer backed away from the trio, with Ashon in tow. Gabriel and Michael did the same. The brothers were smiling mischievously at each other all the while.

Lucifer whispered behind a cuffed hand into Ashon’s ear, and the beast began to growl. Lucifer leaped into the air. Michael let a laugh escape him as Ashon lurched for the beast Gabriel was holding. Gabriel let go of the creature and became airborne. Michael whispered to his beast before joining Lucifer and Gabriel in the air. Now let’s see who’s the finest trainer of warrior beasts, said Lucifer. He had a gleam in his eye as he winked at Michael.

Michael smiled freely and pointed to the creatures. Silence your tongue, brother, and watch how they fare!

Gabriel’s look was one of indifference, and his creature was the first subdued. It fell to Lucifer’s. Now Ashon and Michael’s beast, Fury, were circling each other as Gabriel humbly backpedaled. Michael’s beast faked a lunge at Ashon, who responded by leaping headfirst into the air. The leap made it vulnerable, and the creature paid for his vulnerability. A quick maneuver and some fancy footwork ended the dispute, and Fury stood proudly over Ashon with its enormous paw on Ashon’s neck. The creature reared its head to strike again but stopped at Michael’s thunderous command.

Enough! he bellowed, prompting the creature to stop in its tracks.

The brothers returned to the ground, and Michael eyed Lucifer with a smirk. I think we have our answer yet again, dear brother, Michael said. Finest trainer of warrior beasts. Indeed!

Lucifer smacked Ashon on his hindquarters. Away with you, he said. The beast followed orders, as did Fury and Surety. Lucifer rose from one knee. Seems I have much to learn in the art of war, my brother, he said to Michael.

Michael closed the small distance between them and put a hand on Lucifer’s shoulder. Let us be thankful then that you are not burdened with this task, he teased.

Lucifer laughed in spite of the taunting, and the three continued their walk.

CHAPTER 4

Lucifer’s mansion stood next to the mansions of his brothers, and like their homes, it was a beautiful two-story structure in the outskirts of the main city, boasting all the accommodations he desired. The divans were of the softest silken fabric, and there were tall bookcases filled with scrolls holding scripts and official decrees. His drapes were fire red, while the plush furniture was all golden brown. His closets were filled with gorgeous tunics and shoes, many designed by him and many designed by his most dear friend, Azrael. Some were gifts from a master tailor, but they were the finest sort.

Lucifer sat in his study on the second floor of his mansion and used his quill was with lightning speed as he composed hymns. One after another, parchment was laid to the side, splendid in detail and perfect in harmony. The great crooner was about to fill more parchment with verse when there was a knock at his door.

Lucifer glided across the room to one of his few windows; he liked his privacy. He saw Azrael. Lucifer opened the window and gave her permission to enter. She came into the study. They embraced, and Lucifer kissed her forehead. The lovely Azrael, he remarked.

The beautiful Lucifer, she responded.

The two of them were smiling as she took a seat at his right hand. Lucifer began to hand Azrael scrolls. She stopped him and gathered them herself. I know, she began. You want them stamped.

Yes, Lucifer said, pleased. If you would.

Azrael reached up to a shelf above Lucifer’s desk and removed the royal seal of God. It’s my pleasure we to serve you, she said.

Thank you, sweet Azreal, but ’tis the Father we both serve, he reminded her.

Azreal took a deep breath. I meant you no offense, she said.

Lucifer raised his hand. And I have taken none at all. He ran the fingers of his free hand through her hair.

She shuddered. When Lucifer touched her, a strange feeling came upon her—a quickening of sorts. It was something she had never experienced before and was one of the few things she found that she could not understand.

He noticed the way she gasped at his touch. It was not lost on him; however, though his wisdom was profound, he took no impure implications from it.

The official seal of Jehovah fell upon scroll after scroll as Azreal worked diligently on her task of stamping all that was before her. She and Lucifer worked well together, he writing in a blaze and her stamping and providing legitimacy to everything else. The duo moved with effortless grace.

Lucifer looked over at Azreal, noticing the zeal with which she worked. As she reached for another scroll, he put his hand on hers and stopped her. He smiled at her knowingly and asked her a question that he knew she would know the answer to. How many is that now? Lucifer asked.

Eight hundred and ninety-three so far, Azreal said.

I thought it to be about as much, Lucifer said. That’s quite enough for now.

Azrael’s face was filled with disappointment, and Lucifer sensed her unease. Before she could become disillusioned, Lucifer made a proposition. Let us play a game, he said.

Azreal was ecstatic, for she did love playing games with Lucifer. He was so imaginative and fun. Her eyes leaped to attention. Yes, I’ll play a game, she said. What kind?

Lucifer stood and smiled without answering. It was his pleasure to prolong her wait to play the game, for he truly did not know himself what the game would be.

"Lucifer!" she whined.

Yes, yes, he responded. Just a bit, dear. I need a moment to get the rules together.

Lucifer, she retorted.

He simply smiled at her and looked back up at the window. He waved his hand over the window, and it flew open. Lucifer then made a high-pitched whistling noise, so piercing in fact that Azreal shuddered.

Sorry, my dear, Lucifer said. You’ll soon understand.

Soon there were two Zaphurels before the window. A Zaphurel is a rather large bird with a face much like an eagle and a body that is not unlike that of a pterodactyl. In heaven, they are songbirds.

Lucifer extended his arms, and one of the birds perched on each. Lucifer whispered to the birds and sent them off. He then turned to Azreal, eyes gleaming. The game is this. The Zaphurels are in flight around us. I have instructed them to hide to the best of their abilities. I’ve enchanted them with a spell to turn their faces red so that they won’t be mistaken for other Zaphurels. Lucifer looked at his protégé endearingly. Do you understand?

Azreal smiled brightly. I do, she chirped.

Lucifer grinned mischievously. He glanced toward the open window, and in an instant, he was on the other side of it, levitating higher and higher in search of the red-faced fowls. Azreal made it out and flew backward on her beautiful stark white wings, ascending as she flew, scanning as she did so, riveted by the process. Azreal looked up to find that Lucifer was nowhere in sight. She’d only taken her eyes from him for a brief second and poof. He was gone.

Deep in the recesses of the clouds, Lucifer looked down upon Azreal through the cover of the night sky. Her crisp blue tunic shined beneath the stars. In Lucifer’s hands were two red-faced Zaphurels. He had tracked them both immediately upon his disappearing. Of course, however, he would never let her know that. Indeed, he would never let her know that they were so greatly mismatched in skill of any kind that it was not truly possible for them to play a game, because she could truly provide him no competition. Lucifer looked on as Azreal went to and from, up and down, in search of one of the marked birds. He looked on until he decided enough time had lapsed, that it actually made sense that one could be caught. Lucifer whispered upon the tiny head of one of the creatures and sent it away. Then he did the same with the other.

In the most earnest of efforts, Azreal made a low sweep, and behold, she did find a red-faced Zaphurel. She smiled excitedly as she swooped it up and into her clutches. Hurriedly she looked north to see if Lucifer was above her with a crimson-faced songbird in his clutches. He was not. However, what she did see suspended in air was the second enchanted Zaphurel. She shot straight up as if she were a projectile. With the speed of a comet and the stealth of a great tracker, Azreal seized the second bird and made haste toward Lucifer’s window. It seemed she’d defeated him in yet another contest. From Lucifer’s shining gold windowsill, Azreal called for him. He appeared within mere seconds. From behind her back, she exposed the two songbirds with a large energetic smile upon her flawless porcelain face.

Dropping his head dejectedly, Lucifer said, ’Tis almost not fair the way you defeat me in our contests. Azreal, let the creatures go free.

It’s fine, Lord Lucifer. I’m quite certain you’ll eventually get better.

Lucifer flashed an endearing smile. Yes, indeed, my dear. So am I.

CHAPTER 5

Lucifer sat on the roof of his mansion, throwing pieces of fresh manna out to the Zaphurels. With short notice, he’d been beckoned to the Father’s mansion on the coming morning. Such a thing was unusual. The Father’s way was usually routine in nature and timing. When there was an anomaly in the Father’s actions, it quite often meant one of two things: either something was wrong or there was an announcement to be made. What troubles thee, Father? Lucifer wondered. What troubled him further was that usually when there was a problem or change of some kind, Michael and Gabriel were summoned as well. Lucifer had spoken to his brothers, and neither of them had been instructed to make an appearance at Jehovah’s mansion. That is not to say that Lucifer was afraid, because he did not know fear; he trusted in the Father wholeheartedly. However, without question, he was troubled.

Three Zaphurels landed on the roof near Lucifer and began to eat from his hand. Deep in thought, heaven’s minister of music shooed the birds off. As he watched them fly off into oblivion, his eyes rested on a most majestic figure. Arms folded across his broad chest, black and gold wings spread to full mass, Michael glided through the crisp black night and down onto Lucifer’s rooftop. He landed without a simple thud, as his sandals did not make a sound. Lucifer rose from his crouched position. The brothers clasped each other’s arms up to the elbows. How art thou, brother? asked Michael.

All is well, Lucifer replied.

Michael looked him up and down, and smirked. Ah, my brother, my brother. Hath thou not learned that it is foolishness for thou to not be forthcoming? We are brothers; I know your pain as if it were my own.

Lucifer had been apprehensive; however, Michael always seemed to know what to say to make him comfortable in his unease. His disquiet was unusual in itself. Lucifer exhaled. Ah, alas, thou art correct. I am troubled and concerned.

Concerning the Father requesting your council on the morrow, yes?

Michael had taken the words out of his mouth. Moreover, he was correct in his presumption. Lucifer cocked an eyebrow at his brother. Well, yes, he admitted. Michael sat on the roof of Lucifer’s mansion and gestured for his brother to do the same. The sentiment was understood and obeyed. Michael looked at his brother, then at the remaining manna on the roof. He took a piece of the manna and bit into it, then began to speak. You have come into your own, brother. You are destined for greatness.

Lucifer’s response was not quick, but it was measured. He took the manna from Michael and had a bite. Thou art kind, brother, he said. Thy logic is sound, as is thine reason; however, I—

Michael cut him off. Fret unnecessarily.

Lucifer gave Michael an easy smile. Michael rested a hand on Lucifer’s shoulder, and their foreheads touched as they looked into each other’s eyes.

Michael stood. Whatever it is, brother, know that the Father loves you in a profound way.

CHAPTER 6

First heaven was an enormous mass, guarded by cherubs with flaming swords on each side. As Lucifer was let through the gates, he deeply inhaled the inexplicable scent of grace, truth, and innocence. There was a strong and compelling scent in first heaven. All around Lucifer were unusual creatures, the spawns of the Father’s ideas. Lucifer looked around in awe, taken aback by the wonderful nature of the Father’s mind as he gazed upon the skyline. It was a rainbow myriad of colors, void of clouds and full of contrast. The Father’s mansion was on the horizon. Lucifer gave his legs rest and used his wings as his means of travel, slicing through the air like a scalpel en route to the massive structure.

Jehovah’s mansion was a wonder to behold. The home of the Most High was all